Some senior living communities now may be able to offer options such as video calls and wellness check-ins on residences’ televisions, thanks to new developments by communications company Onscreen.
The firm, which specializes in video calling for older adults, has launched a new application program interface, as well as a new device management portal.
Since the pandemic, the use of video calling and virtual conferencing has exploded, especially among seniors and their families, as a way to mitigate health concerns without exacerbating older adults’ isolation. Although anyone now can access Zoom and other platforms via their smartphones, video conferencing via television still is popular due to the typically larger size of screens.
Video calling via television is a relevant option for eldercare facilities, as 95% of residents’ rooms include TVs; unlike younger generations, that is still the primary way older adults access cable programming.
Cable TV also remains seniors’ most common source for accessing news.
In fact, among amenities, television still ranks above landline phone and internet access within assisted living communities.
“Our newly launched API opens our capabilities up to an exciting world of possibilities,” Onscreen CEO Costin Tuculescu said in a statement. “This will further transform video calling for seniors and remove the challenges frequently experienced with other types of technology and devices.”
The company’s service can manage a variety of functions, including personalized messages and forming admin groups, while caregivers can coordinate calls and help facilitate interactions, leaders said.
The second new feature, Enterprise Manager, is designed specifically for senior living communities to help install and monitor the Onscreen platform among residents, as well as allowing managers or caregivers to do video-based check-ins, the company added.
